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How to Prevent Excel Macros and ActiveX Controls from Being Disabled
Question details
Users need to stop Excel macros, the VBA object model, and ActiveX controls from being unexpectedly disabled, usually after Office or Windows updates.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Business users rely on macro-enabled Excel tools, but frequent system updates keep resetting their security preferences and blocking workflows.
- Observed behavior
- Trusted locations are reset, and VBA access or ActiveX controls are automatically disabled, preventing macro-enabled tools from functioning.
Ensure you know the exact network or local folder path where your macro-enabled workbooks are stored, and verify if you have administrative privileges to modify Excel's Trust Center settings.
Reconfigure Excel Trust Center and Trusted Locations
Manually add the folder containing your macro-enabled tools to Excel's Trusted Locations to bypass standard security prompts for those specific files.
By designating a specific folder as a Trusted Location, Excel assumes that any file opened from that directory is safe. This prevents Excel from aggressively blocking macros and ActiveX controls when opening files from that specific location.
Open Microsoft Excel, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options window, click 'Trust Center' on the left sidebar, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button on the right.
Select 'Trusted Locations' from the left pane and click 'Add new location' at the bottom.
Click 'Browse' to locate the folder containing your macro-enabled tools. Check the box for 'Subfolders of this location are also trusted' if applicable, then click 'OK'.
Navigate to 'Macro Settings' in the Trust Center menu. Ensure the appropriate macro security level is selected, and check the box next to 'Trust access to the VBA project object model' if your scripts require it. Click 'OK' to save all changes.
Review Group Policy and Update Settings with IT
Since Windows or Office updates can overwrite local configurations, consult your IT department to adjust Group Policy Objects (GPOs) that control macro and ActiveX security.
Try WPS Office for a Stable and Compatible Spreadsheet Experience
If frequent Microsoft Office updates keep resetting your security settings and disrupting your workflow, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring a stable environment for your daily business needs with a familiar user interface.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel files to continue your work seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel macro settings reset or change after a system update?
Microsoft frequently updates Office security policies to protect against new vulnerabilities. These updates, or refreshed Group Policies pushed by your IT department, can occasionally overwrite your local Trust Center settings, causing macros and ActiveX controls to be disabled automatically.
Does adding a folder to Trusted Locations override all security settings?
No. While a trusted location allows files stored within it to run macros without continuous prompts, strict organization-wide Group Policy settings or major security updates can still restrict VBA access and ActiveX controls regardless of the folder's trusted status.
How do I enable the VBA object model in Excel?
Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings, and check the box for 'Trust access to the VBA project object model'. Be aware that your IT administrator may restrict you from checking this box via Group Policy.
What should I do if the 'Add new location' button is grayed out in the Trust Center?
If the button is disabled and unclickable, your organization's IT department has locked down Trusted Locations using Group Policy. You must contact your IT support desk to request that your folder be added to the administrative whitelist.
